Indonesia looks to boost trade with Vietnam

Last year, bilateral trade amounted to $3.3 billion. Trade between the two countries has a great deal of potential, as Vietnam’s market is growing rapidly and Indonesia has abundant natural resources.

Indonesia , which has the world’s richest biodiversity, has encouraged Vietnamese enterprises to invest in its growing industrial sectors, including agriculture and food processing, textiles and apparel, electronics, and others.

Speaking at a seminar on November 17 in Ho Chi Minh City, Bambang Tarsanto, the Consul General of Indonesia, told businesspeople that they should improve the prosperity of their people by seeking more trade opportunities.

"The Indonesian government continues to reform its bureaucracy, making it clean, transparent and accountable," he said. "This gives more advantages and provides more incentives for foreign investors who invest in Indonesia ."

With a large population and strong purchasing power, Indonesia is a promising market as well as a great investment opportunity for Vietnam .

It is a major market for consumer products from Vietnam, especially rice, coffee and other food items.